Sociology at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

UW-Seattle sociology graduates earn $40,062 in their first year—$6,000 above the national median and ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally. That's a significant premium for a degree that often gets dismissed as impractical. More importantly, earnings jump 46% by year four to nearly $59,000, suggesting graduates successfully translate their skills into increasingly valuable career paths. The moderate debt load of $19,286 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, a manageable starting position.

The state comparison reveals an interesting wrinkle: while this program crushes national competition, it sits at the 60th percentile among Washington sociology programs. That's still above the state median, but schools like WSU are within striking distance at $39,801. However, UW's stronger earnings trajectory and lower debt relative to some private alternatives make it competitive even within the state.

For an anxious parent, here's what matters: your child will likely out-earn 92% of sociology graduates nationwide while carrying reasonable debt. The substantial four-year earnings growth suggests the UW network and credential open doors that extend well beyond entry-level positions. Unless your student has a compelling reason to attend WSU specifically, UW-Seattle offers the stronger value proposition among public options, backed by a nationally recognized research institution.